2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Ravens, Eugene Monroe Close To Deal

March 11th, 2014 at 7:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Ravens and left tackle Eugene Monroe are “very close” to agreeing to a new contract that will keep the free-agent-to-be off the open market, reports Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com and the NFL Network (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) are also hearing that the two sides should hammer out a deal today, barring any last-minute snags.

We heard just yesterday that the Ravens and Monroe were “deep in productive talks.” The Dolphins, expected to be a strong suitor for Monroe, have seemingly opted to sign Branden Albert instead, and the Cardinals appear to be focusing on Jared Veldheer, freeing up Monroe to resume negotiations with the Ravens.

In earlier talks with the Ravens, at a time when a reunion seemed unlikely, Monroe was said to be seeking $10MM per season, while Baltimore was hoping to pay closer to $8-9MM annually. With Albert reportedly in line for a $10MM per year salary, it seems likely that the final figures on Monroe’s deal will end up closer to that amount than what the Ravens wanted to pay.

Jaguars Release Justin Forsett

March 11th, 2014 at 7:50am CST by Luke Adams

The Jaguars have cut running back Justin Forsett, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). While $100K of prorated bonus money will still count against the team’s cap for 2014, Jacksonville avoids paying Forsett his $1.1MM base salary and a $50K workout bonus.

Forsett, 28, appeared in only 100 snaps and had just six carries for 31 yards in his first season with the Jags. The former seventh-round pick battled foot issues throughout the season and was buried on the depth chart behind Maurice Jones-Drew and Jordan Todman. Forsett will become an unrestricted free agent.

Bucs Intensifying Darrelle Revis Trade Efforts

March 10th, 2014 at 11:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

11:50pm: The Bucs are receiving calls on Revis from interested teams, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

8:47pm: If Revis is released Wednesday, the Jets would only receive the Bucs fourth-round-pick, not their third-rounder, as per the terms last year’s trade, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

8:37pm: In addition to attempting to trade Revis, the Bucs are also trying to rework his contact, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

8:18pm: As of now, the Bucs haven’t found any takers for Revis, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). If no trade partner is found, Revis will likely be released by 4pm on Wednesday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.

7:45pm: The Buccaneers are “stepping up” their efforts to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to Alex Marvez of FoxSports1 (via Twitter). 2013 was Revis’ first season in Tampa Bay, after the Bucs sent a first-round-pick to the Jets to acquire him. Upon his arrival, he signed a six-year, $96MM contract, none of which was guaranteed.

After missing 2012 with a torn ACL, Revis once again ascended to the top of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings. While Bucs coach Lovie Smith has stated that Revis and his fondness for playing man-to-man coverage could fit in Tampa’s Cover-2 defense, some believe this scheme incongruity might be driving the Revis rumors. But NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports on Twitter that the team is simply “uncomfortable” with paying Revis’ schedule $13MM base salary. In fact, his high salary leads several executives to believe that the Bucs might have to just release Revis, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).

The talks could get serious this week, as Revis is due a $1.5MM roster bonus on Thursday, as ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. Last week, we noted that both the Broncos and Patriots have expressed interest in acquiring Revis. On the Bucs side, Caplan tweets that some executives believe Alterraun Verner will land in Tampa in the event of Revis being cut or traded, noting that Verner would fit well in Tampa’s Cover-2 scheme.

FA Roundup: Woodley, Allen, Tuck, Mack

March 10th, 2014 at 10:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest on the free agent front:

Many in the Steelers organization believe that linebacker LaMarr Woodley will end up in Tennessee, where he would be reunited with former Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton, who is now the defensive coordinator with the Titans, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
La Canfora also notes that those involved in the defensive end market expect Jared Allen to sign with the Broncos, and Justin Tuck to return to the Giants (Twitter link).
Alex Mack‘s agent tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) that he believes he can find his client an offer sheet the Browns may not match. That’s not to say that Mack wants out of Cleveland. However, as a transition player, his best chance of a long-term payday involves signing an offer sheet, and no rival teams will spend time negotiating that offer if they expect the Browns to simply match it.
The Buccaneers have not yet asked left tackle Donald Penn to take a pay cut, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
With Alterraun Verner expected to be out of their price range, the Giants are eyeing other cornerbacks, and have expressed interest in Corey Graham, a source tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will not return to the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will not return to the Texans, writes Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com. We noted earlier today that the Chargers will pursue Mitchell.
The Cardinals have interest in cornerback Mike Jenkins, tweets Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910.
Re-signing with the Buccaneers remains a possibility for linebacker Dekoda Watson, but he’ll test the market and begin visiting other teams, starting tomorrow, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Eagles have contacted several free agents, and among them are Lamarr Houston, Graham, and Nolan Carroll, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

WR Rumors: Britt, Hawkins, Edelman, Jones

March 10th, 2014 at 10:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With about 17 hours left to go until the official start of free agency, here’s a look at some of the rumors regarding receivers:

The Redskins have interest in both Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Britt is an unrestricted free agent who has had his share of struggles both on and off the field, but he can still be a playmaker. Hawkins is a restricted free agent who was tendered at the original-pick level; because he was an undrafted free agent, the Redskins would not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him. Hawkins played under Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the past three seasons with the Bengals.
The Patriots are heavily engaged in contract talks with Julian Edelman, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Edelman was on the free agent market for over a month last offseason before re-upping with the Pats, but that would assuredly not happen were he to reach free agency tomorrow.
James Jones is receiving interest from both the Lions and the Jets, but a return to the Packers is not out of the question, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
The 49ers could be interested in Dexter McCluster, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).

Browns Interested In Matt Schaub, Grossman

March 10th, 2014 at 10:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Quarterback Matt Schaub is a “serious possibility” for the Browns, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com agrees, noting the Browns will monitor the QB market, and sign one of Schaub or Rex Grossman, both of whom are familiar with new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (via Twitter).

Schaub is still under contract with the Texans, but is expected to be released, as he is due a $10MM base salary for 2014. He struggled mightily last season, but flourished under Shanahan’s tutelage from 2007-2009 (Shanahan was Houston’s quarterbacks coach in 2007, and their offensive coordinator in 2008-09). Grossman is a free agent, and also knows Shanahan, having played under him in both Houston and Washington.

Either quarterback would likely be part of a three-way competition in Cleveland, joined by Brian Hoyer, who is coming off a torn ACL, and a rookie, perhaps one selected with the fourth overall pick. Jason Campbell, who took over for Hoyer after his injury, is expected to be released.

CB Rumors: Talib, Rogers, Verner, Davis

March 10th, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Perhaps the best corner in the league appears to be available via trade, but let’s look at some news regarding free agent cornerbacks:

Aqib Talib is “very close” to a new contract with the Patriots, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington.
Russini also tweets that the Redskins want Talib, but that the Patriots are offering a better deal.
Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com doesn’t expect the Redskins to “heavily pursue” Talib (via Twitter).
Carlos Rogers would “love” to return to the Redskins after being released by the 49ers, and the two sides are discussing a reunion, according to Russini (on Twitter).
It would be an upset if the Jets don’t sign either Vontae Davis or Alterraun Verner to replace Antonio Cromartie, as the Jets defense is based around solid cornerback play, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. We previously noted that Jets could be the mystery team in on Davis, who is expected to sign tomorrow.
Verner has interest in both the Jets and the Giants, saying “both those teams could win and have capabilities,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Sulia).
The Titans remain in conversation with Verner, but they probably won’t be able to match the money offered by other teams, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
The Ravens would like to retain Corey Graham, but he’s drawn interest from the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles, according to Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter).

Ike Taylor Accepts Pay Cut

March 10th, 2014 at 8:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

8:25pm: It’s a straight pay cut for Taylor, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter). Taylor’s salary is reduced from $7MM to $2.75MM, saving the Steelers $4.25MM in cap space. No extra years were tacked on to the deal.

6:18pm: Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has appeared to restructure his contract, accepting a pay cut in the process, according to a tweet from Taylor himself. The veteran corner sent out a message stating: “The INK is about to dry on this paper…im a lifer…will retire as a ROONEY and a LEBEAU,” referencing Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated that the restructure will involve a pay cut (via Twitter). Taylor was scheduled to earn a base salary of $7MM in 2014.

Taylor, 33, has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh after being drafted in 2004. In 2013, he accrued 63 tackles but no interceptions, and graded as just the 97th-best corner according to Pro Football Focus. For the Steelers, the move comes out of necessity as the team desperately needs salary cap space. They also restructured the deals of Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu, and Heath Miller, and released Levi Brown and Larry Foote.

Vontae Davis Expected To Sign Tomorrow

March 10th, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

7:24pm: The mystery team could be the Jets, as Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports that the team is “going hard” after the cornerback (on Twitter).

5:18pm: Cornerback Vontae Davis is expected to sign a deal within the first hours of free agency on Tuesday, but he will likely not be re-upping with the Colts, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. There were reports late last month the Davis and the Colts were in the early stages of contract talks, but those appear to have fizzled. The Colts opted not to use their franchise tag on the free agent corner.

Though the cornerback is deep, Davis is considered one of the best options still available after the Dolphins re-signed Brent Grimes. In fact, only Darrelle Revis and Grimes had higher ratings among corners according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. Grimes’ four-year, $32MM extension should set the floor for Davis, who is six years younger. Davis could make for an interesting addition to a defensive-back needy team like the Broncos or Chargers, or perhaps he could reunite with his brother, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, by signing in San Francisco.

AFC West Notes: Jennings, Avant, Mitchell

March 10th, 2014 at 7:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest from the AFC West:

Raiders free-agent-to-be Rashad Jennings tells Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com that he’d “love to return” to Oakland, but acknowledges that a new deal with the team is no sure thing. “I never look for a promise from anyone,” Jennings said. “Every year, I want an opportunity. Nothing is a given in this league. All I want is a chance to play in a system that fits my style of play.”
Blair also tweeted that the “Raiders remain a major player for” Jennings.
Although he thought the Chiefs might have interest in free agent safety Mike Mitchell, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that there’s nothing doing on that front for now.
Paylor tweeted that the Chiefs have interest in recently-released receiver Jason Avant. Avant played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
Looking to improve their defensive line, the Chargers will pursue nose tackle Earl Mitchell early in free agency, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.